Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CHESTER, —BARLEY, —BEAR, n.³ “The name commonly given, in Angus and Perths., to big [q.v.]; as distinguishing it from Barley-bear, which denotes what is in England strictly called Barley” (Ags., Per. 1825 Jam.², chester bear); “a coarse kind of barley with four rows on each head” (E.D.D.); but see also quots. Known to Ags.¹⁷ 1939.Ags. 1813 J. Headrick Gen. View Agric. Angus 302–303:
Bear, or bigg, is here commonly distinguished by the name of Chester, and is the most ancient species which was cultivated in this county. . . . The Chester has six rows of grains in the ear. . . . The barley has only two rows of grains in the ear.Per. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIX. 350:
That [barley] which has more rows in the head than two, is called Chester Barley.